Fatigue behavior of friction stir welded Al–Mg–Sc alloy

The effect of Friction Stir Welding on the fatigue behavior of Al–Mg–Sc alloy has been studied. To reveal the influence of the welding parameters, different travel speeds of the welding tool have been used to provide weld seams with varying microstructural features. Crack initiation as well as crack propagation behavior under fatigue loading has been investigated with respect to the local microstructure at the crack initiation sites and along the crack path. Fatigue cracks were mostly initiated around the stir zone and the adjacent thermo-mechanical affected zone independent from hardness distributions in the weld seams. In some specimens, defect-like feature was observed at the crack origins, which shortened the fatigue lives. It has been found that while the effect of the tool travel speed on the fatigue lifetime seems to be little, the varying and complex local microstructure in the weld seam basically affects both the crack initiation sites and the crack propagation paths.     

Fatigue lifetime and tearing resistance of AA2198 Al–Cu–Li alloy friction stir welds: Effect of defects

The fatigue strength and failure mechanisms of defect-free (“sound”) and flaw bearing friction stir butt-welds of 3.1 mm-thick AA2198-T8 Al–Li–Cu alloy have been investigated via S–N curves at R = 0.1 using cross weld specimens. The fatigue strength of sound welds is only reduced by 10–15% at the aimed lifetime of 10⁵ cycles compared to the base material. Joint Line Remnant (JLR) bearing welds have a similar fatigue strength as sound welds and the JLR is not the crack initiation site. Kissing Bond (KB) bearing welds that have undergone a weld root polishing show a reduction in fatigue strength by 17% compared to sound welds. For specimens loaded at or above yield strength of the weld nugget the crack systematically initiates from the KB during the first cycle, which is interpreted further using fracture mechanics. The strongest reduction, about 28% in fatigue strength, is found for welds with an initial gap between the parent sheets (GAP welds) along with initiation at intergranular surface microcracks. Kahn tear tests show a reduction in tearing resistance for the flaw bearing welds with a similar ranking as for the fatigue strength.     

Microstructural evolution and superplastic behavior in friction stir processed Mg–Li–Al–Zn alloy

A Mg–Li–Al–Zn alloy was friction stir processed (FSP) under water, and the microstructures and superplastic behavior in the FSP alloy were investigated. The FSP Mg–Li–Al–Zn alloy consisted of a mixed microstructure with fine, equiaxed, and recrystallized α (hcp) and β (bcc) grains surrounded by high-angle grain boundaries, and the average grain size of the α and β grains was ~1.6 and ~6.8 μm, respectively. The fine α grains played a critical role in providing thermal stability for the β grains. The FSP Mg–Li–Al–Zn alloy exhibited low-temperature superplasticity with a ductility of 330 % at 100 °C and high strain rate superplasticity with ductility of ≥400 % at 225–300 °C. Microstructural examination and superplastic data analysis revealed that the dominant deformation mechanism for the FSPed Mg–Li–Al–Zn alloy is grain boundary sliding, which is controlled by the grain boundary diffusion in the β phase.     

Fatigue behavior of friction stir weld joints of Al–Zn–Mg alloy AA7039 developed using base metal in different temper condition

This paper presents the influence of base metal temper conditions (O, W and T6) on fatigue behavior of friction stir weld joints of Al–Zn–Mg alloy AA7039. Fatigue tests were performed at stress ratio of 0.1 and tensile to tensile stress in the range of 85–215 MPa to develop S–N curves. Fractured surfaces were investigated by SEM to determine the mode of fracture. On the basis of this study, friction stir welding of Al–Zn–Mg alloy AA7039 is recommended to be performed in W temper condition because of better tensile properties and superior fatigue strength.     

Fatigue behavior of the aeronautical Al–Li (2198) aluminum alloy under constant amplitude loading

Tensile and fatigue mechanical behavior of wrought aluminum alloy 2198-T351 is examined and compared against 2024-T3 that is currently used in aerostructures. Experimental fatigue tests were carried out under constant amplitude stress ratio R = 0.1 and respective stress–life (S–N) diagrams were constructed for both alloys. Fatigue behavior of both alloys is described with varying parameters being the percentage of fatigue life as well as the effect of maximum applied stress as a function of ultimate tensile strength. It was found that fatigue endurance limit of AA2024-T3 is approximately 40% below its yield stress, while only 9% below for the AA2198-T351. The latter was found to be superior in the high cycle fatigue and fatigue endurance limit regimes, especially when considering specific mechanical properties. Absorbed energies per fatigue cycle as well as dynamic stiffness of the fatigue hysteresis loop were calculated and plotted against the number of fatigue cycles and with varying maximum applied stress; both parameters are continuously decreasing due to the combination of hardening effect and micro-cracking in AA2024-T3, while this was the case only for the high applied stresses regime in AA2198-T351. Cyclic stress strain (CSS) curves were constructed and proved that work hardening exponent of AA2198-T351 is substantially decreasing with increasing fatigue life.     

Dynamic fracture of binary Al–Li alloy in torsion

Abstract

To investigate the mechanical properties of a binary Al–2·8Li alloy at high strain rates in as received (solution treated) and aged conditions, quasistatic and dynamic torsion tests were carried out. With increasing strain rate, the strength and ductility of the as received alloy increased and a change of the fracture mode from intergranular to transgranular was also observed. However, in the aged alloy, the intergranular fracture mode was predominant at both quasistatic and dynamic rates. At the grain boundary offsets on the fracture surface of the aged alloy, a large number of very fine dimples were observed. This evidence suggests that a ductile precipitate free zone may be present there.

MST/1043     

Compressive creep behaviour of Mg–Li–Al alloy

Abstract

The compressive creep behaviour of as cast Mg–14Li–1·3Al (wt-%) alloy was investigated in the temperature range of 20?85°C and under different compressive stress in the range of 37·3–74·6 MPa with special apparatus. Primary creep deformation and steady creep rate increase with temperature and applied stress. The compressive creep behaviour obeys an empirical equation ln t=C?nln σ + Q/RT, where t is the time to a selected creep strain, σ is the applied stress, T is the absolute temperature, R is the gas constant, and C, n, and Q are constants for the experimental alloy. The average values of the exponent n and the creep activation energy Q are 4·33 and 101·13 kJ mol^?1 respectively. The creep rate controlling mechanism is the dislocation climb and the lattice diffusion of Li in the experimental alloy under the testing conditions.     

Extrusion processing of Al–Li–Mg–Zr alloy

Abstract

The hot deformation behaviour of an Al–Li–Mg–Zr alloy was characterised in hot torsion and extrusion. The alloy was found to have similar hot ductility to existing high strength aluminium alloys, but this could be maintained at higher temperatures. Billets were extruded over a range of process conditions and a limit diagram was constructed for surface cracking. All the extrusions were found to be partially recrystallised after deformation, but the volume fraction of recrystallisation was a strong function of billet temperature and extrusion ratio. In addition, the unrecrystallised areas contained a recovered substructure where the subgrain size was inversely proportional to the temperature compensated strain rate. The as extruded structure was retained during solution treatment and as a result final mechanical properties were strongly dependent on the extrusion conditions. The use of high billet temperatures and low extrusion ratios gave the best combination of strength and toughness.

MST/839     

Simulation of material flow in friction stir processing of a cast Al–Si alloy

The objective of the current paper is using DEFORM-3D software to develop a 3-D Lagrangian incremental finite element method (FEM) simulation of friction stir processing (FSP). The developed simulation allows prediction of the defect types, temperature distribution, effective plastic strain, and especially material flow in the weld zone. Three-dimensional results of the material flow patterns in the center, advancing and retreating sides were extracted using the point tracking. The results reveal that the main part of the material flow occurs near the top surface and at the advancing side (AS). Material near the top surface was stretched to the advancing side resulting in a non-symmetrical shape of the stir zone (SZ). Furthermore, macrostructure and temperature rise were experimentally acquired to evaluate the accuracy of the developed simulation. The comparison shows that the stir zone shape, defect types, powder agglomeration, and temperature rise, which were predicted by simulation, are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental results.     

Ageing response of a Al–Cu–Li 2198 alloy

The effects of different ageing treatments on microstructure evolution, properties and fracture are investigated in the present study. 2198 alloy exhibits strong ageing response during ageing. It is found that tensile properties, hardness and conductivity of 2198 alloy are very sensitive to ageing temperatures, which corresponds to different microstructures. In the naturally-aged condition (T3), only δ′ (Al₃Li) was detected. After artificial ageing (T8), large amounts of precipitates emerged and major precipitates that were detected turned to be δ′, θ′ (Al₂Cu) and T₁ (Al₂CuLi) phase. Exposure to higher temperature caused greater amounts of the precipitation. The constitution and morphology of precipitates varies with different ageing temperature; the major precipitates are δ′, θ′ when ageing below 160 °C, while above 160 °C, T₁ phase comes out in large numbers, becoming dominate strengthening phases gradually. Fracture transforms from a typical dimple type to a dimple-intergranular mixed type with the rise of ageing temperature.     

Plastic deformation behavior of ultrafine-grained Al–Mg–Sc alloy

Ultrafine-grained (UFG) Al–Mg–Sc alloy was obtained by friction stir processing. The UFG alloy was subjected to uniaxial tensile testing to study the tensile deformation behavior of the alloy. An inhomogeneous yielding (Lüdering phenomenon) was observed in the stress–strain curves of UFG alloy. This deformation behavior was absent in the coarse-grained alloy. The Lüdering phenomenon in UFG alloy was attributed to the lack of dislocations in UFG microstructure. A strong dependence of uniform ductility on the average grain size was exhibited by the UFG alloy. Below a critical grain size (0.5 μm), ductility was very limited. Also, with the decrease in grain size, most of the plastic deformation was observed to be localized in necked region of the tensile samples. The negative strain rate sensitivity (SRS) observed for the UFG alloy was opposite of the SRS values reported for UFG alloys in the literature. Based on activation volume measurement, grain boundary mediated dislocation-based plasticity was concluded to be the micro-mechanism operative during plastic deformation of UFG Al–Mg–Sc alloy.     

Microstructural development and superplasticity in Al–Li 8090 alloy

Abstract

The mechanical behaviour of an Al–Li–Mg–Cu–Zr 8090 alloy at a temperature of 515°C and strain rates in the range 10^?4?10^?2s^?1 was measured by tensile testing. The greatest strain rate sensitivity was measured in the middle of that strain rate range, and did not change significantly with strain. Large abrupt changes in strain rate during testing showed that the strain rate history had a significant effect, especially slow prestraining which gave a relative increase in flow stress and a reduction in rate sensitivity compared with testing at a constant rate to the same strain. The evolution of grain size was measured, and there was evidence that this aspect of the material microstructure could be used to explain the observed behaviour. This view was reinforced by the ability of a transition model of superplasticity, together with a simple model of the evolution of grain size distribution, to reproduce the essential features observed in testing with large changes in strain rate.

MST/3351     

Effect of friction stir processing on corrosion resistance of aluminum–copper alloy gas tungsten arc welds

Gas tungsten arc welds in aluminum–copper alloy AA2219-T6 were friction stir processed (to a depth of about 2 mm from the weld top surface) for improving their corrosion resistance. Unprocessed and friction stir processed welds were comparatively evaluated for their microstructural characteristics and corrosion resistance. Friction stir processing was found to result in substantial microstructural refinement with fine, uniformly distributed CuAl₂ intermetallic particles. Friction stir processing was also found to result in a more uniform copper distribution in the weld metal, leading to significant increase in weld corrosion resistance. This work demonstrates that friction stir processing is an effective strategy for overcoming corrosion problems in aluminum–copper alloy fusion welds.     

Initiation of voiding at second-phase particles in a quaternary Al–Li alloy

Abstract

The intermetallic phases within an as-cast and rolled Al–Li–Cu–Mg alloy have been characterized using quantitative X-ray microanalysis and back-scattered electron imaging. An Al–Cu–Mg eutectic and an Al/Cu-rich intermetallic resembling A1₆( Fe, Cu) are the principal constituents of the as-cast alloy. During homogenization and fabrication, the eutectic dissolves but the iron-rich phase is broken up into stringers which lie along the high-angle grain boundaries. Void initiation at the particles during deformation of the wrought material has been observed and quantified. Voids nucleate following either particle cracking or particle/matrix decohesion. Evidence for particle cracking caused by coplanar slip band impingement is presented based on electron microscopical observations of specimens deformed conventionally and in situ.

MST/569     

Mechanisms governing cyclic fracture in an Al–Cu–Li alloy

Abstract

The fracture behaviour of a peak-aged, partially recrystallized Al–4·5Cu–1·21Li–0·51Mn–0·20Cd alloy has been investigated as a function of strain amplitude, stress intensity, and environment. It was found that the failure was predominantly intergranular separation, regardless of the environment, stress intensity, or strain amplitude, and that the fracture behaviour was influenced mostly by intrinsic microstructural features, rather than the nature of the environment. The shearable nature of matrix strengthening precipitates, large recrystallized grains, and precipitate-free zones along the high-angle grain boundaries aid in localizing the deformation, resulting in low-energy intergranular fracture. The iron- and silicon-rich intermetallic precipitates in the alloy promote void nucleation following fracture of the particle. A model is proposed which suggests the need for high stresses and strains for the initiation and spontaneous growth and coalescence of microvoids. The mechanisms of fracture behaviour of the alloy are discussed in terms of several concurrent processes involving strength of the material, intrinsic microstructural effects, deformation behaviour, state of stress, and strain.

MST/497     

Atomic bonding and mechanical properties of Al–Li–Zr alloy

The atomic bonding of Al–Li alloy with minor Zr is calculated according to the “Empirical Electronic Theory in Solids”. The result shows that the stronger interaction between Al and Zr atoms, which leads to form the Al–Zr segregation regions, promotes the precipitation of Al₃Zr particles and produces a remarkable refinement of Al₃Li grains in the alloy. Because there are the strongest covalent Al–Zr bonds in Al₃Zr and Al₃(Zr, Li) particles, these covalent bonds can cause a great resistance for dislocation movement, and is favorable to strengthen the alloy. On the other hand, with precipitating the Al₃(Zr, Li) particles, it causes the coherent interphase boundary energy of Al/Al₃Li to decrease, and atomic bonding is well matched in between the interface of two phases.     

Hot deformation behavior of spray-deposited Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy

The flow behavior of spray-deposited Al–10.21Zn–2.76Mg–1.45Cu–0.16Zr (wt.%) alloy has been systematically investigated by thermal compression tests with temperature and strain rate ranging from 613 K to 733 K and 0.001–1 s⁻¹, respectively. Microstructural observations revealed that the average grain size of spray-deposited alloy was below 25 μm due to the high cooling rate. Both relatively high temperature and low strain rate could promote the formation of dynamic recrystallization (DRX). The stress level of the alloy decreased with increasing deformation temperature and decreasing strain rate, which could be characterized by a Zener–Hollomon parameter in the hyperbolic-sine equation. Furthermore, the strain-dependent constitutive equation could lead to a good agreement between the calculated and measured flow stresses in the elevated temperature range for spray-deposited alloy. The deformation activation energy for spray-deposited alloy was relatively lower than that of the as-cast alloy owing to ultrafine grains and high supersaturated solid solubility.     

Superplasticity of Al–Mg–Li alloy prepared by thermomechanical processing

Abstract

Grain refinement of Al–Mg–Li alloys for superplasticity prepared by thermomechanical processing has been a difficult task due to the cracking of these alloys when rolled at low temperatures. Raising the rolling temperature resulted in enhanced rollability of these sheets with no cracks but very coarse grains after recrystallisation. To solve this problem, a cross rolling schedule was developed to hinder fracture and simultaneously provide enough stored energy for following recrystallisaiton coupled by lowering the reheating temperature. Fine, equiaxed grains of ～7 μm was achieved by this new approach and maximum total elongation of about 915% was obtained when deformed at a temperature of 525°C and an initial strain rate of 1×10^?3 s^?1.